(Newser)
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The digital age might have another victim: Sears has shut down its portrait studio, at least for now, after the photography company that has been snapping family portraits for the chain since 1959 abruptly closed up shop, reports the Wall Street Journal. CPI Corp. also ran studios at Walmart and Babies "R" Us, and all three retailers are scrambling to figure out next steps. Sears is "exploring all options" to resume portrait services, says the company.

It was just a matter of time, writes Chris Gampat at the Phoblographer blog. People are taking their own photos with their own digital cameras, and they care less about prints. "This trend started in the wedding industry and it was only a matter of time until it hit retailers." Adds Stan Horaczek at PopPhoto: "The world doesn't necessarily need any more photos of awkward families plunked in front of fireplaces. But, it does say something about how willing people are to pay for photography in general."

More of a problem of price and convenience - getting everyone dressed up to got take a nice photo is a pain and sometimes difficult with our busy schedules - the places weren't on time with appointments - and cost a lot to get a few prints

Drewzy

Apr 6, 2013 12:41 PM CDT

Just another case of technology sending more people to the unemployment line.

jgmann

Apr 6, 2013 1:26 AM CDT

This news makes me red-eyed. I shutter when I think of all the out-of-work photographers. Too bad they couldn't dodge their financial issues and come to some resolution. Hopefully, consumers will shift their focus to independent portrait photographers.